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Is a Career in Child Therapy Right for You?

People who love helping children may consider becoming a child therapist. Two different types of therapists can help children grow up to be healthy adults. Pediatric physical therapists help children who need to strengthen their bodies. Child psychologists help children regain emotional and mental health.

The Pediatric Physical Therapist

Pediatric physical therapists have highly rewarding jobs. When surgery or accidents have affected children’s muscular or skeletal systems, these dedicated medical workers help them in regaining use of their bodies. Pediatric physical therapists also work with children with physical disabilities or handicaps by helping them gain as much independence as possible and avoid regression.

This type of therapy is challenging because often children cannot communicate as well as an adults or they may not cooperate with painful or difficult exercises. Therefore a child physical therapist must not only love children, but want and be able to help them in a patient, calm, and kind way.

To become a pediatric physical therapist, or Doctor of Physical Therapy, one must study for three years in addition to completing the bachelor’s degree — a total of seven years of study. Some physical therapists get a master’s degree, with only two more years of schooling beyond completing the bachelor’s degree. Despite the many years of schooling required, salaries are averaging only about $73,000 a year, although child therapist salaries start at about $52,000.Many expect the salaries of these professionals to increase because there are more children in need of services.

The Child Psychologist

Child psychologists are usually one of two types: clinical and counseling. A clinical psychologist works with children who experience mental disorders such as depression. A counselor teaches children and their families to handle their difficulties by learning better coping skills and using their own personal strengths. Many times, because of their experience with children, these professionals become school psychologists.

To work with troubled children who may be challenging or mentally ill, a child psychologist must be extremely patient and gentle. Counselors cannot be impulsive, judgmental or harsh, since they treat children and families with a variety of problems. These patients are in need of compassion.

Education

To practice child psychology independently, most states insist that counselors complete bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in psychology and a post-doctoral internship of at least one year. Professional licensing in many states requires one to two years of supervised post-doctoral work before the student can take the licensing exam. Completion of the necessary education will likely take about eight years.

Although physical therapy and pediatric psychology are extremely demanding fields, they are extremely rewarding. Not just the reward of a good salary, but the personal gratification of helping a child regain mental and physical health is priceless. Find out more about child therapy careers at TherapistSchools.com.

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Tags: Physical Therapist, Physical Therapists